Multi-game suspension for Suh may not happen

Posted by Mike Florio on November 27, 2011, 8:30 AM EDT

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In the days since Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh pushed the helmet of Packers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith into the ground and then stomped on his arm while walking away, a sense has emerged that Suh should receiving a suspension of two or more games, given his history and the egregious nature of his conduct.

But a multi-game suspension may not happen, given the history of suspensions for on-field conduct meted out by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Apart from the five-game suspension received in 2006 by former Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (who coincidentally returns to Tennessee today in his third game with the Buccaneers), no player has been suspended for more than one game by Goodell, via Gene Washington.

The following year, Goodell (via Washington) suspended former Cowboys safety Roy Williams one game after his third horse-collar tackle of the season.

The next year, Goodell (via Ray Anderson) suspended Buccaneers defensive back Elbert Mack one game for launching himself and making helmet-to-helmet contact with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan; it was Mack’s second flagrant hit in three games. Also in 2008, Jets safety Eric Smith received a one-game suspension and a $50,000 fine for a flagrant helmet-to-helmet hit on then-Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin.

In 2009, Goodell (again via Ray Anderson) suspended Dante Wesley of the Panthers for launching at Bucs punt returner Clifton Smith while he was waiting to catch the ball. Wesley struck Smith in the head with a shoulder and forearm.

Again, Suh’s history of fines will be a factor, and his failure to express genuine remorse won’t help him. Balanced against that will be the fact that he already has essentially been suspended for nearly half of one game, since he was ejected early in the third quarter.

So don’t be surprised if Suh is suspended for only one game. Though he committed a Haynesworthy stomp, there’s a huge difference between stepping on a guy’s arm, which Suh did, and ripping off a player’s helmet and shredding his bare forehead with a cleat, which Haynesworth did.

But feel free to cast your own ballot below. It was the subject of the FRS poll question when yours truly hosted The Dan Patrick Show on Friday. Here’s another chance to sound off on what should happen.

UPDATE 10:35 a.m. ET: When posting this I didn’t realize that our good friend Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com has posted similar information. Here’s the link to Freeman’s take.

lets not forget (his recent history, previous visits to roger, and faux apology) slamming the other guy’s helemt into the turf a few times. methinks that gets suh-suh-suhdio into haynesworthless territory.

i already know what you all are gonna say..
so ill say it now..
you all are sheep

i hate the fact that he tried to stomp the guy but its driving me crazy that roger has you all going soft. suh is old school and a monster and all of you talking bad about him would love to have him on your team, myself included

3 games at least. I like his passion and like the fact that the Lions are contending for the playoffs. What I don’t like is Suh’s immaturity and his blatant disregard for another player. If you want to light someone up do it clean when the opportunity presents itself. If you want to cheap shot someone and be a jerk then find another job. I hope the NFL suspends him for at least 3 games. If this penalty seems to harsh then you’re a much more forgiving person than I am. The seriousness of what he did could of been far worse and actions like that need to be taken care of immediately.

Most of those examples you give are for helmet to helmet hits that occurred in the flow of the play. Suh’s infraction occured after the play, away from the ball, and had nothing to do with him making a regular football play (at least helmet to helmet hits are made in the process of making a regular football play.)

I don’t doubt that Suh will get a slap on the wrist, because NFL is about money and keeping their stars on the field, but he deserves more than one game if the examples above are used as any benchmark.

I feel Suh is in goodell’s good graces still, he is highly marketable, he does a lot with charities, and off the field he is a soft spoken seemingly decent human being. You neglected to note he did apologize on Facebook. Also the Ford family is very close to Goodell and also very dontating. But I feel a lot of people are going to be let down when its time for his punishment. As a lions fan I don’t think its right, but after reading so many posts, I think the general public has there hopes too high.

There is one thing that many are failing to “factor-in,” regarding the punishment that is likely to come. It would be exposure.

The game in which Suh was ejected was a “showcase game” for the NFL. The exposure that the NFL was getting to all parts of the world and to young future fans was immense.

With the current uproar over FIFA’s Sepp Blatter denying there is racism in soccer, in conjunction with Goodell’s desire to “expand” the NFL into Europe, I think it could be reasonable for Goodell to come down hard on Suh. It certainly would send a message to all those soccer fans throughout the world, that the NFL is trying to pull-over to its sport, that our commish isn’t another, do-nothing-because-I’m-in-denial, Sepp Blatter.

It wasn’t a terrible, life changing thing that he did, but there really isn’t any place for that kind of ignorance in today’s game, and he obviously hasn’t learned a thing from his past transgressions. The only way to solve the problem is to bring the hammer down, repeatedly if neccessary.

Suh’s a punk. No doubt! However, you get far less time for trying to shoot someone than actually shooting them.

One game suspension without pay would be significant enough to get the point across BUT given the fact that Suh took it upon himself to meet with Goodell a few weeks ago, he should be tougher on him. I think he should get 2 games. 1 for the stomp, 1 for the lack of respect to his meeting with Goodell.

Richard Seymour’s shot to Roesthliberger’s face and Andre Johnson punching Finnigan in the head were both worse than what Suh did and they each got fined only 25K. And both of them had previous incidents that resulted in fines.

Frist to say
No games they should give him a metal for showing the Packers are a dirty team.
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Your statement doesn’t even make enough sense to make it worth explaining how wrong you are.

Given that Goodell just met with Suh and basically stuck his neck out saying what a good player Suh is, i would expect a pretty good suspension and fine.

Give the fact Woodson got no ban at all for his punch in week 1, wouldn’t surprise me if Suh gets no ban either
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I do not agree with what Woodson did was right, but I beleive that was Woodson 1st offense in 12-13 years of being in the league. compare to Suh 3rd or 4th this year alone. I’m sure that if i’m wrong about Woodson, the Raider Nation will let me know.

that was one of the most bush league acts i have ever seen from a so called professional athlete, i used to be a fan since his days at nebraska but i have gotten to the point that i cant stand this punk and he should get a multi game suspension and the commish needs to put the hammer down on this clown

i hate the fact that he tried to stomp the guy but its driving me crazy that roger has you all going soft. suh is old school and a monster and all of you talking bad about him would love to have him on your team, myself included

** I couldn’t have said it better myself. Not a single one of you wouldn’t want this guy on your team. Don’t give me “the league is different now” talk. Football is rough, mean and meant to be played that way.

We need Jessie Jacka$$ and AL Sharpdumb to tell us how we all should be careful to rush to judgment because Suh’s actions are due primarily to him being oppressed by his multi-million dollar contracts given to him by a white owner and predominately white owned corporations. It’s all veiled slavery don’t you know.

People perceive Goodell as overly tough, but he’s also shown he’s willing to sweep things under the rug when it suits his purposes, such as Spygate and Favre’s sexual harassment.

I think he wants to market Suh as one of the games star players, and will be reluctant to hand down a penalty that will further damage his reputation. He’ll hit him with a fairly severe fine, maybe $50,000, but he won’t take him off the field.

But he should. His comments after the game show a guy out of touch with reality. I think they need to consider a phychological evaluation. Something is not right upstairs with that guy.

Calling the stomp haynesworthy is proposterous. Haynesworth had been in the league for a number of years, he’s fat and lazy, and he ripped gurode’s helmet off and stomped on his face. Suh is in his early 20’s, in better shape than most dt’s in the league and he threw a hissy fit out of immaturity and stomped on the dudes arm. Those of us who have actually played football know that dirty things like smashing helmets into the ground, poking eyes, etc go on in a pile. The stomp was wrong, and I don’t support it one bit. But to call it Haynesworthy is letting your lions hatred get in the way of reality.

Suh is someone who has blatantly thumbed his nose at the rules numerous times in his short career. He has verbally stated that he will continue to play the way he plays and he has shown to be true to his word when on the field. All of the “slaps on the wrist” that he has received already have proven to be no deterent and if he receives another “slap on the wrist”, what kind of message is that sending? I think the guy has some serious mental problems and it’s time Goodell and the Lions acknowledge that this idiot is not going to change unless we do something that is going to get his attention. Personally I think he deserves the Haynesworth treatment, 5 games…….but anything less than 3 would be disappointing and looked upon by Suh as just another “slap on the wrist”. Ray Lewis and Adrian Peterson both are “violent” players but they both play within the rules of the game, Suh plays violent before, during and after the play……the dude has some serious mental issues. His record speaks for itself thorough college and his pro career….it’s time to put a stop to it Goodell.

I used to support Suh for his tenacity on the field. This incident is over the top. I voted 3 or more games. This guy needs to be under control. Suh’s actions have nothing to do with the teams attitude. That is all Suh’s attitude. Make an example out of this guy, suspend him.

I think people are talking about
“the stomp” too much. If the NFL is so serious about head injuries, then how come nobody is talking about Suh slamming the guy’s head into the turf 3-5 times.

To me, that was more blatant and out of control than the stomp. There has beeen worse things done, but this guy has a screw loose. Anytime you see animalistic like tendencies out of a player, then he needs to be taught a lesson.

He has apologized to his fans and hos team, but not to Evan Dietrich Smith. It took him more then 24 hours to realize he was going to have to own up to this in some way, his initial reaction was deny deny deny, and now we think he’s learned his lesson?
3 games at least

Hayneworthy would mean someone would miss at least one play. No one missed a play. He stomped like a three year old throwing a fit or a dog kicking dirt onto his poo not with intent to hurt. What has been missed and inconsistent of the weak minded on this site is that after the ref broke up Suh a Packer came in and hit Suh prior to the so called kick and after Suh let up. One of the poor examples of calling Suh dirty in the preseason was when Suh came to the defense of a teammate against a Pats lineman. Folks for about a week began the campaign against Suh trying to convince readers a shove was a punch and he should bebe fined and surprised he wasn’t thrown out. Yet the Packer defense of his teammate is not considered dirty here because it wasthe obvious heholding was defendingthe his teammate. There is an agenda against Suh and it began with calling Suh dirty for defending his teammate.

Soulman45 says:
Nov 27, 2011 8:57 AM
Frist to say
No games they should give him a metal for showing the Packers are a dirty team.
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Soulman. Repeat after me “F-I-R-S-T. F-I-R-S-T. F-I-R-S-T…”

The Thanksgiving Stomp brought newly found enthusiasm by women to the sport of football, which translates into less resistance from them when we spend 12 hours each Sunday glued to the tv. In order to keep things on this positive track, more events like “the stomp” would be desirable, so you can yell out to your honey each time, “hey, sweetie, you gotta see this hilarious replay, you’re going to love it.”

It takes minimum effort by you, and it makes them feel involved and engaged in the action. Use it as a bonding moment, then send them happily on their way to make you a sandwich and bring another bottle of beer. It’s a win win. Wise up!

tampajoey says:
Nov 27, 2011 8:58 AM
“the fact that he already has essentially been suspended for nearly half of one game”

Did Suh lose a half of a game paycheck? NO!

Suspend Suh 2+ games without pay and a big fine. Taking money out of a player’s pocket is the only way to get their attention.
———————————————————-Have to disagree with part of that. If taking money out of a players pocket was the only way to get their attention, then fines WOULD work (which they clearly do not).
Suspending him and forcing him to let down his teams and his fans may have the desired effect.

I’ll be very surprised if Suh is suspended more than one game. I’ll be surprised if he’s suspended at all. The Lions are one of the feel-good stories of the year for the NFL and Suh is their biggest star. Goodell is typically afraid to give out penalties that are more than a slap on the wrist and I don’t expect him to start now.

so what if a packer OL defended their guy. suh got himself caught on camera. slamming helmet into turf. and stomping/kicking. he let himself become the story and the marked man, and zebras and cameras are watching. how is that werking out for him?

gee, too bad it didnt hurt the guy – is that yer point? stomping/kicking is worse than all the other little hits that people holler about.

sounds like a 2 game suspension coming. plus a fine from the lions, which some local business concern will likely cover for him.

I’ve said it before: It’s real simple. Either the front office will completely set him straight or some nasty, nasty offensive linemen will do it for them. These are their brethren that he’s taking shots at. You think the Packers OL is going to forget about this by week 17? Even if backups are playing that’s all the more reason why they’ll try to take him out. Their suspensions won’t have much effect on the Packers SB run.

One way or another, he’ll found guilty and charged for what he’s been doing. Only question is, who will do the executing.

On field penalties have gotten preposterous, confusing and frustrating thanks to the league office. Fines are dished out inconsistently and now you folks want to give power to the league to suspend a player that resulted in no injury. Wanting to give more power to this office to determine who plays and who does not for similar or perceived incidents is another step at weakening the game trying to make the NFL more Disney friendly.

zibikbeer says:
i hate the fact that he tried to stomp the guy but its driving me crazy that roger has you all going soft. suh is old school and a monster and all of you talking bad about him would love to have him on your team, myself included

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I don’t know. Can’t see how the team I root for would have won more games this year with him on the squad. 11-0 this year. And it’s obvious that he’s hurt the team he is currently on with his behavior. So what’s the upside on a team that’s already good? Sure he raises the average level on a team that’s not that good but on a good team???

Lost in all of this is a guy who was frustrated. Why? Because a back up player for the Packers was taking care of him snap in and out. And then Suh has the delusion to say he was all over Aaron Rodgers all day.

Lions have always been my second favorite team, but Suh is quickly ruining that for me. I will not watch any more games this weekend (first time in 20 years) because that was a disgusting non football act and people seem to be forgetting that many watching that Thanksgiving game only watch one game per year. If he gets less than 2 games AND less than $100K, next week I will not watch. I’m tired of punks waltzing through the court system and through my beloved NFL. To a previous poster – No, I wouldn’t want Suh on my team.